Bumper for vehicles



Jan. 26 1926.

M. D. DOMIIQIGUEZ BUMPER FOR VEHICLES Filed Oct. 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 26 1.926.

M. D. DQMINGUEZ BUMPER FOR VEHICLES .Filed Oct. 21, 1924 2$heets-$heet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY ill Patented den. 26, 1926.

I 1,570,624 PATENT OFFICE.

MANUEL LOMINGUEZ, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

BUMPER FOB VEHICLES.

a ncamnma October 21, 1924. Serial No. 744.988.

To all whom, it may concern I Be it known that I, MANUEL D. Do- MlNGUEZ, a citizen of Spain, and resident of New ()rleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements ii Bumpers for Vehicles, of which the following 1s a specification.

My invention relates to devices usuallyv known as bumpers, used on vehiclesto absorb more or less of the force of impact of the vehiclewith another object, for the purpose of protecting the vehicle itself or the object struck, from damage or 1n ury. Structures embodying my lnvent on may be employed upon various types of vehicles including rail vehicles, but in the physical embodiments chosen for illustration, the appliances are more particularly designed for use on motor vehicles and will be so described, with the 'u'nderstandingthatthe appliances may be otherwise utilized with or without modification, within the scope of the appended claims. r

A more important ob ect of the invention is to 'yieldingly. support the impact bar,

and preferably, to so suppoit it that it will properly react to shocks occurring at any portion of its length. The yielding support includes provision for a fluid cushioning medium, and an element such as a spring, co-operating with the fluid medium to resist movement of the bumper bar under impact and to return it to normal position thereafter.

A further object is to provide an impact bar with a cushioned face to further reduce the shock of impact either to the vehicle on which the appliance is mounted or to the object causing the impact. This feature of the invention may take the form of a simple resilient cushion strip applied to the front face of the impact bar, or it may have a pneumatic action analogous to that of a Y pneumatic tire.

Thecharacteristics and advantages of the.

invention are further sufficiently explained in connection with the following detail description of the accompanying drawings, which show certain representative embodiments of the invention. After considering these, persons skille in the art will understand that many variations may be made within the principles. of theinvention, and

T; contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

F'g. 1 isa plan view of a bumper structure embodying the invention in one form.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section, enlarged, in the plane 2-2, Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a section, enlarged, in the plane ;.3, Fig. 1.

Fig. at is a plan view of a modified impact bar provided with a cushion face.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section at 55, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modiiied bumper structure.

. Fig. 7 is a section at 88, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevation, enlarged, of the left hand portion of Fig. 6.

'Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3: The impact element proper may consist of one or a plurality ofbars 1 of channel or- C-section, and when the term impact bar is used hereafter, without evident limitation, it is broad enough to include the multiple bar, consisting in the present specific example 01 three of the bars 1. The individual bars may be spaced apart and secured in various ways. Particularly, in the present example, they are so spaced and secured by outside vertical spacing strips 2, which have portions 3 intermediate adjacent bars to propcrly separatethem. The spacing connectors 2 may be welded or otherwise suitably se cured to the bars. The bars may be additionally connected or secured to inner vertical strips 4; having dove-tail engagement with thebar flanges and these strips may be welded or otherwise secured in position. Near their ends the bars are curved or bent back at an angle to aid in deflecting objects which encounter these end portions 5.

Near each end the impact bar has an articulated connection with a movable support (3 which, in the present example, is a tubular piston rod. At the outer endthis rod has a head 7 provided with a plurality of eyes 8 fitting in clevised lugs 9 secured in the bars 1 by welding or otherwise. A pivot pin 10 passes through the eyes and clevised members and is secured by a retaining pin 11. .-EV1 dently all but the center one of the impact bars might be omitted and the head 7 would then have a single eye to correspond with the clevised lug 9 of that bar.

Each hollow piston rod 6 has, near its inner end, a flange fitting in a cylinder 16,

Eli

lid

which has et its outer end on inturned ilenge 18 to limit outward movement of the piston rod. A cup pecking or Washer 19 of leather or other suitable material is held a ainst flange 15 by a. nut 20. The pecking mas o. cylindricel portion closely fitting the loore and cylinder 16. Each cylinder is provided Withverticully extending trunnions 21 which have hearing mountings in arms 22 of bracket '23, which may he referred to for identification as e sub-bracket. At its front end, the sub-bracket has an inbent portion 24, the inner edge of which has a curved contour to conform to the shape of cylinder 16 and form a socket therefor. The suhhrccket is bolted or otherwise secured to another bracket 26 which may he identified as the main bracket. This is of sheet metal of suitable thickness and its rearward portion 27 may be bent or other Wise formed in any suitable Way for con venient connection to vehicle frame member.

A. plug or head 30 is screwed into the rear end 01"" each cylinder 16. At the center of this head is an air passage 31 normally closed by c. conical check valve 32 Which has a stem 33 guided by a cage 34 which is connected to the head 30. A spring 35 holds the valve normally in closed position. It is desirable in. some cases to prevent dust and grit from entering the cylinder. For tins purpose a packing or filter is provided as follows: The rear face of the head 30 is recessed end in the bottom of this recess is located a per-fouled or Wire mesh screen 35. Upon the screen is placed a filter pecking of suitable fibrous material, such as raw cotton, ielt or the like. This filter inateriul is retained by a nut or cup 37 screwed into the Wall of the heed recess and. provided with e multiplicity of perforations 38.

A helical spring is located under suitable initial compression Within the cylinder and the hollow rod 6 with its ends hearing respectively against head 30 and the outer end of the rod. The inward end of the spring conveniently fits around cage 34 by which it is prevented from lateral dislocation.

A body of air is normally confined at atm spheric pressure in the chamber formed hy cylinder 16 and its hollow rod 6. When rhc impact stri'urture encounters an obstacle with any considerehle force, either or both of the "piston rods 3 move lPalWillCl against the resistance provided by the spring 40 and by the compression of the air hody, aided by the heating of the uir due to comg'ir ssion. wh ch muplilies the resisting force. The piston lms o. relatively long strol-"c so that u. very heavy impact may be resisted with yielding; force, and except in extnnic cases, Without dunmge to the ve hicle on which the appliance is mounted or plenished by the return movement o l.

i s'ro cse the object encountered. Usually the entire our body is retained in the chamber; at; r

wise, in some cases, a slight relief to the movement of the piston rod any ill from the cylinder, it is eutoumtz piston under the impulse of sprihg i0, 32 opening during this movement eg in spring to permit sir to enter througl'i hole 31. This air is filtered by the peel; J 36 and all or substantially all 0551' the dust or grit in the air is thus removed and preveeted es i'from set-ting inc shrasive action in the cylinder.

It the irnpect occurs near the co; o the impacther, the her will move he: parallel relation to its original positio Without deflection of either cylinder. however, the impact occurs considereloly one side of the center or neer one end the her, the her will deflect angular-1y as dicuted in dotted lines Fig. i, by ti occurring near the left hand end 01: ii The right hand cylinder 16 in this cs. deflect very little or not at all, and t e e pivots cit its point of articulation with 7 of the right hand piston rod 6. The in also pivots at its point of articulation 'Wloii the other piston rod head, and as the piston. moves in and the our assumes the enguiur position shown in dotted lines, the left hand cylinder 16 swings inward on its trunnions -21, es also indicated in dotted lines in. Fig. 1.

In this Way ample angular or lateral flexibility is provided, in addition to straight longitudinal yielding or flexibility, in accordance with the direction of the force of the impact.

Figs -land illustrate u modification in which any suitable plurality of bumper liar members may he provided With a face cushion. A single bumper bar 40 is illus-- tinted, which has the cross-sectional form, substantially, of on ordinary wheel clincher rim, to receive a cushioning structure 41, which may be substantially identical with any suitable pneun'iatic tire structure, either single or double tube. A single tube formis represented for the sake of simplicity. This pneumatic cushion extends along the straight OlllQl' face of th bumper hut all) and has portions l9. exlcndiug along: the outer faces of the rearwzu'dly curved her portions 43. The cushion portions -12 may taper toward their ends 44 which may he of solid construction and are bent around the euds of the inn portions 43 and tcrminote in eye or lug members The cushion portions 44 are clamped to the her ends by clips 46. Pins 4? pass through the clip ends overlying the cushion ends. Pins 4e are passed through the end lugs 4-5 of the l ill) the same fashion as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3.

In addition to the resilient resistance provided by the pneumatic or. spring mounting oi the bumper bar, the cushion face structure or pneumatic cushioning element ll sti 1 further absorbs, shocks of impact in an obvious manner.

Figs. 6, 7 and 3 illustrate another modi lication in which the pneumatic cushion just referred to is replaced by a non-pneumatic cushion bar facing 60. llhis may be of the cross-sectional form of a typical cushion the and to properly receive the cushion element, the bar 61 may have the cross-sectional form of a clincher wheel rim or may be otherwise shaped to receive the cushion taming, which is of any suitable rubher or rubber composition and maybe rein- .iorced with canvas, in accordance with the known principles of cushion tire construction. Desirably the cushion strip is formed with a base chamber 62 to increase the, flexibility of the cushion; These figures also show a. modified mounting of the cylinders 16., consisting in locating the trunnions 21 substantiall at mid-lengthof the cylinders. 'lhe pivota moven'icnt of the cylinders is tl'uis modified in an obvious Way. Other parts of as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, except that the arms 2'2 oi sub-bracket 23 are properly located to correspond with the location of the trunnions.

l claim:

1. A vehicle bumper structure comprising an imp-act bar oi? clincher cross-section and a cushion of resilient material extending along the outer face of the bar and having a base formation co-operating with the clincher Storm of the bar to hold the cushion in position the ends of the cushion being lapped around the ends of the bar and firmly secured thereto.

A ehicle bumper structure comprisin an impact our oi clincher cross-section and a cushion of resilient material extending aloug the outer face of the bar and having a base i'orumtion co-o )erating with the clincher i'oim oi the bar to hold the cushion in position, said cushion having a hollow interior lilled with air under pressure, the ends oi": the cushion being lapped around the ends of the bar and firmly secured thereto.

the mounting may be substantially 3. A vehicle bumper structure comprising an impact bar, brackets adapted for connection to vehicle frame members, bar supports pivotally connected to the brackets and the 7 bar, each support including a longitudinally yieldable member, and a chamber containing a fluid body to co-operute with the yieldable member.

A vehicle bumper structure comprising an impact bar, brackets adapted for connection to vehicle frame members, bar supports j pivotally connected to the brackets and the bar, each support including a longitudinally ieldable member, a chamber containing a fluid body to co-operate with the yieldable member. and a check valve acting to retain fluid in the chamber and to admit fluid to replace leakage from the chamber.

A vehicle bumper structure comprising an impactbar, brackets adapted for connection to vehicle framemembers, bar supports pivotally connected tothe brackets and the bar, each support including a longitudinally yieldable member, a spring normally urging said member to outward position, and a chamber containing an air body to co-operate with the yieldable member.

6. A vehicle bumper structure comprising. an impact bar, brackets adapted for connec' tion to vehicle frame members, bar sup orts pivotally connected to the brackets an the ar, each support including a longitudinally yieldable member, a spring normally urging said member to outward position, a chamber containing an air body to co-operate with the yieldable member, and a check valve acting'to retain air in the chamber and to admit air to replace leakage from the chamber.

7. A vehicle bum er structure comprising an impact bar, an a support therefor in cluding a cylinder adapted to retain a ouch ioning body of fluid, a iston acting within the cylinder on the flui body, a spring urging the piston to outward position, and a check valve at one end of the cylinder tending to retain fluid therein and to admit external fluid to replace leakage.

8. A vehicle bumper structure comprising an impact-bar, and a support therefor including a cylinder adapted to retain a cushioning body of air, a iston acting within the cylinder on the air gody, a spring urging the piston to outward osition, a, check valve at one end of the cylinder tend ing to retain air therein and to admit external air to replace leakage, and. means for filtering air entering the cylinder to remove foreign matter therefrom.

. 9. In a bumper structure, an impact bar, a supporting member pivotally connected thereto, a guide member in which the supporting member is slidably supported, and a bracket in which the guide member is pivotally mounted.

'10. In a bumper structure, an impact bar,

s se pporeing tubular istoe is slid-eh! a, supporting member pivotal connected thereto, a gmde member in whlch she supportin member is,slidably supported, and when et in Whioh the guide member is pivotally mountez said bracket, being arranged for conneciion to a vehicle frame member.

11. in a bumper stmeture, an impaction,

ia, supporting member pivoteily eonnees-ed 'thereto, 3, guide member in winch vibe sup port'm member is slidebly snppoxfeed, and e, bees 'et in which the guide memleei is pivotefly mounted, said bracket being orrenged for connection m a vehiele member, the bracket also having 21- supspol'e mg soeket for the guide membef. I 12 Ina bumper structure, an impose has, istoz'a rod pivosalfiy connected thereto, a. oydnder in which the piston is slidabl supported, and a smoker in-Which the cy inder is pivoteliy mounted.

1,3. In abumper structure, an lmpacfl; bar, a suppol'iiyug tubular piston rod pivotally connected shereto, e eylinder in which the iston is slidebly supported, mid e, bracket :11 which the cylinder is yivoizally mounted, said bracket being arranged for connection to a vehicle freme memeer.

M, is s bumper sfizmeture, en impaet her, e supporting. tubular piston. rec? pivoteiiy connected thereto, a cyfiindei' in which the supported, and e beecket m which the ey 'nd-er is pivofsliy. mountefi, said bracket being arrangefi for eonnecinion to s vehicle firms member, the smokes else I hevieg e suppore'mg socket for the goieie memieer,

1, o'mese whieh the again-er is pivotelly mousiae, s

sprirg wi'ehie bhe eylincier and oiston rod so Wgingihe flatter towe rd outward position, a fluid pore in'ehe-imeer end of the eyiimier, end a check Waive normally closing she port to retain fluid mike cylinder out eetiszg automatically 10 admit fluid to rspisoe leakage.

17. In a bumper structure, an'impeet; bar, a supporting tubular piston rod pivotslly eonnec ted thereto, a cylimier in which the piston is slidobl supported, a bracket in which eo the cylinder is pivotelly mounted, a spring within the cylinder and piston. rod urging the latter toward outward position, on air port in the inner end of the cylinder, a check valve normefly dosing the port to retain air 65' in the cylinder but acting eutoroaticall to admit air to repiuco leakage, and a, 'ter peeking arranged; to remove foreign matter from on entering the port.

figned m Efiew C rleans, in the perish of (Erie-ms and State of Louisiana this lfiehfie'y of Geto'ber A." D, 19%

MANUEL o. seem, 

